About Beyond Cubicles
📢 #BeyondCubicles is a weekly LinkedIn series created by Carolina D’Souza, born out of her own experience transitioning from a corporate career to independent consulting. Since its launch in June 2024, the series has evolved into a platform that showcases the inspiring journeys of several founders who have redefined the traditional 9-to-5.
Through authentic narratives, #BeyondCubicles highlights themes of courage, resilience, and purpose. The stories feature individuals from diverse industries—ranging from tech and education to wellness and adventure—who share their experiences of stepping away from conventional roles to pursue passion-driven careers.Â
✨ Note: All features in this series are unpaid and shared as a way to honor and amplify real stories of transformation.
“I never expected to feel this comfortable in chaos and uncertainty,” says Vimbai Midzi about a retrenchment that pushed her to pursue a long-held dream.
Earlier this year, she launched Deeper Beauty, a skincare line for medium to dark skin tones.
“As a Black woman from Zimbabwe, I wanted to create something that made me feel good in my own skin and catered to the attributes of skin of color,” she says.
With a qualification in cosmetic science, she assessed more than 10 labs before finding the right partner. One goal was to create a sunscreen solution for skin tones long ignored by traditional formulations.
“So launching a sunscreen as our first product was a no-brainer,” she says.
Midzi’s mission combines inclusivity and technology. She is also developing an AI-powered skin analysis tool trained on darker tones.
Before founding Deeper Beauty, she built a career in journalism, communications, and product management. Her work took her to five countries before she moved to the region through NGOs and development programs, eventually settling in Dubai in 2018. In her last corporate role, she led social and environmental impact work across 10 markets.
This rich experience now helps her combine business acumen, science, storytelling, and inclusivity in everything she does.
Still, entrepreneurship tested her confidence and resilience.
“The hardest to deal with were doubt and uncertainty,” she says.
Looking back, she wishes she had known how to advocate for herself more. “I went into discussions assuming people would be in my corner. It’s up to me to advocate for my interests and negotiate the best terms.”
Validation soon followed. “I signed a deal to be the primary sunscreen provider for a hotel,” she says, describing it as an incredibly humbling moment.
Through it all, her friends and family have been her biggest supporters, offering feedback and encouragement.
She is also part of entrepreneur networks, including OPUS and crew club HQ, which have helped her refine her business thinking. Her shareholder and advisor, Saba yussouf, has been an important mentor, opening doors and offering guidance.
As the Deeper Beauty brand grows, so does Midzi’s. She is redefining her personal brand, becoming more open and assertive about skincare and skin health.
“I feel more myself as an entrepreneur than I ever have,” she says.